Uterine Prolapse - Early Warning Signs & Treatment options

Introduction

The kind of surroundings we are living in these days have made us vulnerable to countless health conditions. It has become the need of an hour to make ourselves well-informed about different health disorders or conditions so that we can consider clinical assistance beforehand.

Uterine prolapse is a condition that requires attention and treatment on time as females experience losing strength in the uterus due to muscle stretching. This reproductive health disorder is becoming common among women. The alarming point is that according to studies, approximately 68% of females are expected to come across this condition at some point in their lives. But, they are not aware of it because they can either be asymptomatic or unaware of conditions like this. However, the uterus prolapse condition is common and widely known but is important to how much you are aware of this condition.

So, if you experience regular bowel movement issues or a feeling of heaviness in your pelvic muscles, book your appointment with one of the best gynecologists in Jaipur at CK Birla Hospitals. If yes, then you may require treatment options to help you manage the pain and uneasiness.

In this write-up, we will not only discuss early warning signs of uterine prolapse and treatment options but also everything that you must know. So, make sure you stick to the end. Please note that this blog is for informative purposes only and doesn’t replace the significance of a doctor’s consultation. 

What is uterine prolapse?

Uterus prolapse is a reproductive health condition among females in which the tissue supporting the uterus begins losing strength. It occurs when ligaments in your pelvic floor including muscles begin stretching too much causing weakness. As a result, they fail to offer support to your uterus and it starts to slip out into the vagina. Females of any age can experience the problem, however, females who have had multiple deliveries in their lives are more exposed to this disease.

What are uterine prolapse stages?

Healthcare experts often use a system to identify uterine prolapse through categorization of its stages such as:

• Stage 1: Uterus dropping into the vagina part
• Stage 2: Uterus falling into the vagina's lower part 
• Stage 3: Uterus sticking out from the vagina 
• Stage 4: Entire uterus slipping outside of the vagina 

Who gets uterine prolapse?

Uterine prolapse is experienced by females who have gone through more than one vaginal delivery, reached menopause, family history of this condition and have had pelvic surgeries before. 

What are the symptoms of uterine prolapse?

Uterine prolapse can be asymptomatic at times for some females. However, there are common uterine prolapse symptoms you must know:

• You will always feel heavy in your pelvic muscles or there will be a sensational feeling which is not comfortable.
• You will observe that tissues are protruding from the vagina.
• Problems with the urinary tract are very common with uterine prolapse conditions. You will feel issues when emptying your bladder.
• You don’t have sufficient bowel movement.
• Sexual concerns are also noticeable with this condition as you might feel a loose sensation in the vaginal tissues.

What causes uterine prolapse?

One of the primary reasons for uterine prolapse is the weakening of pelvic muscles and interruption of support tissues. Here are other most common uterine prolapse causes:

• Pregnancy
• Delivering large-sized baby
• Obese women
• Bronchitis or chronic cough
• Heavy weight lifting
• Trauma during childbirth
• Chronic constipation
• Low estrogen levels

How is uterine prolapse diagnosed?

When your healthcare provider suspects that you might be suffering from uterus prolapse, then he/she will conduct a physical evaluation that involves checking the pelvis.

You mustn’t miss out on anything when explaining the symptoms of uterine prolapse to your doctor. If you are experiencing urinary incontinence or face problems while emptying your bladder, then your doctor might initiate a cystoscopy. This will help in examining the urethra and bladder.

Your doctor might also recommend magnetic resource imaging. The process involves radio waves for creating pictures and uses magnets. It will allow the doctor to view all the organs related to your reproductive system.

Can you find the right treatment for uterine prolapse?

Yes, there is clinical and expert help you can consider if you are looking for the right treatment for uterine prolapse. Here are some treatment options your doctor might recommend you:

• The doctor might give you a pessary to be placed. It will help in holding your uterus in the right place. It is a prosthetic device inserted into the vagina to be pharmaceutical and structural. Doctors usually involve this treatment method for the treatment of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. 
• Surgery is also recommended in case your pelvic floor muscles are weak.
• Hysterectomy or uterus removal is recommended in rare cases.
• Your doctor might ask you to wear a support belt.

Tips for at-home remedies

You need to understand that uterine prolapse will not heal itself. So, there are some simple steps you can take to mitigate the risk and stop it from becoming worse at home. Here are these tips:

• Include kegel exercises in your routine. Make sure to perform the activities in the right way. It will strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
• Drink liquids as much as you can and include foods rich in fiber.
• Coughing can force your pelvic floor to turn downwards and cause weakness in the pelvic floor tissues. Consult your doctor to manage chronic coughing.
• You need to maintain a healthy weight and diet. Make sure to focus on the foods that you are eating. Studies, it is found that females who are obese are at a higher risk for uterine prolapse.
• Make sure to use the right body mechanics when you lift heavy objects as it will worsen your uterine prolapse. Don’t repeat lifting heavy objects after pelvic surgery or childbirth.

Conclusion

Uterine prolapse is one of the common conditions affecting women, mainly after childbirth and with age. It hugely impacts quality of life, leading to discomfort, urinary incontinence, and other symptoms. While mild cases can be handled with pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle changes, more serious prolapses need clinical intervention such as insertion of pessaries or surgical repair. Early identification and treatment are important to prevent complications and improve results. Females experiencing symptoms must seek immediate medical attention and examine the right treatment options with their healthcare provider to retrieve comfort, functionality, and overall health. 

FAQs

 

Does uterine prolapse cause bleeding?

Yes, as the condition advances, you might experience vaginal bleeding. However, if there is a minor prolapse then you might feel pelvic heaviness or lower back pain.

Can uterine prolapse cause blood in urine?

It is found in a study that women who had stage 2-4 pelvic prolapse are more vulnerable to being diagnosed with AMH. If you have uterine prolapse and haven’t considered taking treatment, then you can experience blood in the urine at any point which may also involve hazardous underlying disease.

How to treat uterine prolapse naturally?

Difference between uterine prolapse and uterine inversion?

Uterine prolapse is the uterus fundus popping out of the vagina, whereas uterine inversion is when both the vaginal area and uterus are protruding which usually happens in certain cases like cancer.

Is uterine prolapse dangerous?

Uterine prolapse is not a serious condition but can interrupt regular activities making the person feel discomfort. There is no need for treatment in mild cases pr doesn’t lead to any uncomfortable feeling. However, in severe cases, it might be difficult to pee or have regular bowel movements. 

Does the uterus come down during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the hormone estrogen leads to the weakening of the uterus. As an outcome, it drops into the vaginal canal or pops out from the vaginal opening. If this happens, then it is known as a prolapsed uterus condition. 

Can uterine prolapse cause bleeding?

In uterine prolapse, the uterus moves from its regular location putting pressure on the surrounding structures and causing complications like bleeding.

Can uterus prolapse be cured without surgery?

In mild cases, there is no need for surgery and can be cured with self-care measures such as exercises for pelvic muscle strengthening, known as kegel exercises.